April 3, 2024 Week of the Young Child: Self Care for Superheroes The National Association for the Education of Young Children is inviting early child care professionals to attend a webinar in April on self-care strategies for early childhood education providers. The webinar is hosted by Walden University. Learn More Week of the Young Child: Self Care for Superheroes will explore strategies to address early childhood providers’ numerous challenges. The three core concepts are mindfulness, thought awareness, and self-compassion. Attendees will gain tools to navigate the current teaching terrain. The webinar’s objectives are to: Harness mindfulness to cultivate presence and reduce stress from being overwhelmed in daily teaching routines Enhance the ability to identify and respond to thought patterns that impact interactions with children and colleagues Embrace self-compassion practices to sustain passion and energy while nurturing young minds The webinar’s speaker is Sally Arnold, RN, BSN, MA, a registered nurse with a master’s in psychology and extensive mindfulness training. More Details The webinar will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 10. Registration for the event is now open.
April 1, 2024 April is the Month of the Young Child April has been designated as the Month of the Young Child. Trying Together has planned a month full of events and opportunities to tout the importance of early child care and celebrate organizations that provide vital services. History The Week of the Young Child was first established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Its aim was to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize early childhood programs and services that are centered around those needs. Over time, increased interest led Trying Together to designate the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC). We celebrate MOYC to elevate the important work of families and early care and education professionals, who strive to meet the needs of the young children in their care. MOYC-in-a-Box Early learning programs can request a mailed box of materials related to the month. Materials include posters to display at program locations or to give to businesses to promote the importance of child care in the community; buttons for staff and families to wear in April; and printed materials and resources from Trying Together and Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5. To request the MOYC box of materials, fill out this form. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The last day to request materials is Friday, April 12. Events There are a number of great events to celebrate the Month of the Young Child. These include: 2024 Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner – Trying Together will join early care and education colleagues from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Acrisure Stadium for dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. There is currently a wait-list for this event. Homewood Early Learning Block Party – This free event will feature craft activities as well as face painting, dancing, and other activities. There will be resources from organizations in Homewood and the Pittsburgh region for caregivers and families. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Affirming Black Joy: Race, Identity, and Early Childhood – The Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education (P.R.I.D.E.) program’s spring speaker series event will feature Trying Together’s Cara Ciminillo as a guest speaker. This virtual event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Registration for this event is now open. Education Affiliate Dinner and Lecture – Beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, this event at Saint Vincent College will feature a dinner and lecture with Todd Whitaker, a leading authority on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. at the college’s Event and Conference Center and the lecture will follow at 7 p.m. at the Carey Performing Arts Center. More details are available on the college’s Education Department website. NAEYC Week of the Young Child – The NAEYC will celebrate daily themes as part of its Week of the Young Child from April 6 to 12. Visit the NAEYC’s website for more information on the daily themes and activity resources.
April 5, 2023 NAEYC Sponsoring Week of the Young Child Sweepstakes The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is sponsoring a Week of the Young Child (WOYC) Sweepstakes. Week of the Young Child is the first week of April, and NAEYC is offering prizes to seven lucky parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators who participate in the sweepstakes, which runs March 31 through April 14. WOYC Sweepstake Prizes Three people will win a free one-year Entry Level Membership ($30 value) Two people will win a free NAEYC Book Bundle ($70 estimated value) Two people will win a free module of Each and Every Child Training ($120 estimated value) Participate All parents, caregivers, and educators are invited to participate in the sweepstakes. To participate, simply visit the NAEYC website and complete the participation form. Learn More To learn more, visit the NAEYC website.
